Seagate Game Drive for PlayStation® Consoles 2 TB External Hard Drive - USB 3.2 Gen 1, Officially-Licensed (STLV2000101)
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AI Verdict
This 2TB USB 3.2 Gen 1 mechanical hard drive stores PS4 games for direct play and archives PS5 games, but won't play PS5 titles directly.
This drive is a situational fit because its 2000 GB mechanical storage is great for expanding a PS4 game library for direct play, and it acts as a convenient archive for PS5 titles. However, the inability to play PS5 games directly from it means it doesn't fully address the storage needs of a primary PS5 game library.
If you need to play PS5 games directly from external storage, look for an M.2 NVMe SSD that fits into the PS5's internal expansion slot.
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Pros
- Offers 2000 GB of storage, significantly expanding game libraries without deleting titles.
- Allows direct storage and play of PlayStation 4 games from the drive.
- Functions as an archive for PlayStation 5 games, requiring transfer back to the console's internal storage for play.
- Features a simple plug-and-play setup, getting it running in under two minutes.
- The 2.5-inch form factor makes it lightweight and portable.
- Includes blue LED lighting, which some users find aesthetically pleasing.
Cons
- Cannot play PlayStation 5 games directly from the external hard drive; they must be copied to the console's internal storage first.
- Transferring large PS5 games back to the console can take a significant amount of time, for example, a 122.2GB game took over 16 minutes.
- As a mechanical hard disk, its read/write speeds are slower than SSD alternatives.
- Some users report that the PlayStation licensing contributes to a higher price compared to non-licensed external HDDs with similar specs.
- Gameplay clips cannot be moved to the drive if it's configured as extended storage for games.
Dimension Scores
As a mechanical hard disk (HDD) with a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, its speeds are slower than SSD alternatives, with large game transfers taking over 10 minutes.
Many users report the drive working well for extended periods, with some stating it's been running strong for years.
The 2 TB capacity significantly expands storage for both PS4 and PS5 games, preventing frequent deletions.
It's officially licensed and works seamlessly with PS4 and PS5 for storage, but its inability to play PS5 games directly limits full compatibility.
Best For
- PlayStation 4 owners needing to expand their game library for direct play.
- PlayStation 5 owners who frequently run out of internal storage and want to archive PS5 games without re-downloading.
- Gamers seeking a simple, plug-and-play storage solution for their PlayStation console.
- Users who prioritize storage capacity over the fastest possible load times for all games.
Not Recommended For
- PlayStation 5 users expecting to play PS5 games directly from external storage.
- Gamers who require SSD-level transfer speeds for their game library.
- Users looking for the absolute lowest-cost external storage without brand-specific licensing.
Watch Out For
- You can't play PS5 games directly from this drive; you'll have to transfer them back to your console's internal storage, which can take 16 minutes for a 122.2GB game.
- Transferring a 50GB game like Marvel's Spider-Man can take 25 minutes, during which you can't use the console.
- The included PlayStation Plus code might be expired, as one user reported.
- The proprietary cable might be difficult to replace if lost, according to one user.
- If used for extended game storage, you cannot move gameplay clips to the drive.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0CH87VY5B |
| Brand | Seagate |
| Color | PS5 HDD |
| Series | STLV2000201 |
| Hard Drive | 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 0.64 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Seagate |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 2 TB |
| Hardware Platform | Seagate |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Item model number | STLV2000201 |
| Compatible Devices | Gaming Console |
| Product Dimensions | 2.99 x 0.81 x 4.47 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Hard Drive Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2.99 x 0.81 x 4.47 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 2000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
The most surprising finding is how many users are still caught off guard by the fact that you can't play PS5 games directly from this drive, despite it being 'officially licensed' for PS5. People really like how easy it is to set up and use, literally just plug it in and it works for PS4 games. The blue LED lighting gets mentioned a lot as a cool aesthetic touch. However, the transfer times for PS5 games are a recurring point of frustration, with some large games taking over 15 minutes to move.
“Look, it's fine for my PS4 games, I can play them right off it, which is what I needed. But for PS5 games? Nah, you gotta move them back and forth, and that takes forever for big games, kinda defeats the purpose of having it always plugged in.”
Common Praise
- Plug-and-play setup is quick and straightforward.
- Stores a large number of PS4 games, allowing direct play.
- Effectively archives PS5 games, saving re-download time.
- The white casing and blue LED lighting match the PS5's aesthetic.
- Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to place or move.
- Some users experienced faster load times for PS4 games compared to the console's internal drive.
Common Complaints
- PS5 games cannot be played directly from the drive, requiring transfer back to the console.
- Transferring large PS5 games to and from the console's internal storage takes a long time (e.g., 16+ minutes for 122GB).
- It's a mechanical hard drive, so it's slower than an SSD, which impacts transfer speeds.
- Some users feel the 'officially licensed' branding leads to a higher price than comparable non-licensed drives.
- An included PlayStation Plus code was reported as expired by one buyer.
Ownership Tips
- The drive stays relatively quiet during operation, with no noticeable noise.
- The blue LED light is always on when connected, which might be a minor distraction in a dark room.
- The specific USB cable it uses might be hard to find a replacement for if lost or damaged.
- Even after months or years of use, many users report consistent performance without issues.
- The drive's small footprint means it doesn't take up much space next to the console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play PS5 games directly from this external hard drive?
No, you cannot play PS5 games directly from this drive. You can store them on it to free up space on your console's internal SSD, but you'll need to transfer them back to the console to play.
Can I play PS4 games directly from this drive?
Yes, you can store and play your PS4 games directly from this external hard drive without needing to transfer them to the console's internal storage.
How much storage does this drive add?
This model provides 2 TB (2000 GB) of additional storage for your PlayStation console.
Is this drive officially licensed by PlayStation?
Yes, this Seagate Game Drive is officially licensed for PlayStation consoles and is built with matching firmware for seamless compatibility.
How fast are game transfers to and from the drive?
Transfer speeds vary by game size. For example, moving a 122.2GB game to the drive took 10 minutes and 18 seconds, and moving it back to the console took 16 minutes and 26 seconds.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at external storage for your PlayStation, especially a PS5, the biggest thing to understand is that not all storage is created equal for all games. This drive is a mechanical hard disk, which means it's slower than the SSD inside your PS5. You can play all your PS4 games directly from it, which is awesome for freeing up space. But for PS5 games, it's more like a digital attic – you store them there, but you have to bring them back into the main house (your console's internal storage) to actually play them. This transfer takes time, so it's not instant access.
Capacity (2000 GB)
This is how much data the drive can hold, like how many books fit on a bookshelf. 2000 GB means you can store a lot of games, especially PS4 titles, without constantly deleting and re-downloading.
Interface (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
This is the connection speed between the drive and your console, like the size of a highway. USB 3.2 Gen 1 is fast enough for playing PS4 games and transferring PS5 games, but it's not as fast as the internal connection an SSD uses.
Drive Type (Mechanical Hard Disk)
This refers to the technology inside the drive. Mechanical hard disks have spinning platters, like a record player, which makes them slower and potentially less durable than solid-state drives (SSDs). This impacts game loading and transfer times.
Alternatives
If you need to play PS5 games directly from external storage or demand the fastest possible load times, you should look for an external SSD with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface or an internal M.2 NVMe SSD for the PS5's expansion slot.
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